In computational theories of mind, an analytical problem is tackled by embedding it in “working memory” and then iteratively applying transformations to the representation until the problem is solved [1]}, [2]}. Iterative processes underlie the human ability to solve sequential reasoning problems, such as complex question answering, proof writing, and even object classification [3]}, [4]}. They also enable humans to extrapolate their knowledge to solve problems of potentially unbounded complexity, including harder problems than they have seen before, by thinking for longer.
